State Sen. Bill Montford, a Democrat from Tallahassee, seconded the nomination of Senate President Don Gaetz.

Written by

Travis Pillow
Florida Capital Bureau

Before he became Senate President, Don Gaetz was the superintendent of Okaloosa County Schools.

The local business community felt the school district was under-performing. Gaetz said he was tasked with finding a candidate who could oust the incumbent and turn the district around. He wound up drafting himself for the 2000 race.

After the election, he found problems with the district's administration of Advanced Placement courses. He said he wanted to overhaul the program, but he didn't know where to begin. He likes to joke that he was not an educator - he just "played one on TV." ...